The Exodus Story: God’s Justice, Patience, and Mercy Revealed
Imagine a fictional country where the government and culture were involved in the enslavement of a community that lived among them. For centuries, this community endured unimaginable suffering—enslavement, torture, and even death. Now imagine that you, as a citizen of this country, had the power to influence your government to end this atrocity. Would you support such an intervention? Would you demand that justice be served and freedom granted to those who have suffered for so long?
This analogy mirrors the reality faced by the Israelites in Egypt. In the story of the Exodus, God demonstrates His hatred for slavery and injustice. The opening chapters of Exodus and the ten plagues of Egypt reveal God’s deep commitment to justice, His grace even towards His enemies, and His patient desire for all people—including the Egyptians—to come to know Him.
The Israelites had been under the harsh rule of Egypt for 400 years, enslaved and afflicted (Exodus 2:23). Pharaoh had ordered the drowning of newborn Israelites, showcasing the brutality of the regime (Exodus 1:16, 22). Egyptian culture, deeply rooted in paganism, sorcery, and idolatry (Exodus 7:11), stood in direct opposition to God’s nature and His promises to His people. Yet, God did not immediately bring judgment upon Egypt. Instead, He displayed patience and grace.
God’s Response: Grace Before Judgment
God had made a covenant with Abraham that extended to every succeeding generation, and He was determined to fulfill His promise. However, His response to the Israelites’ suffering was not driven by wrath alone but by grace and love for justice. God understood that the way to compel the Egyptians was through a mighty hand, but His initial acts were rooted in mercy. Moses and Aaron first made diplomatic pleas to Pharaoh, asking for the Israelites’ freedom (Exodus 5). Even when Pharaoh retaliated with harsher conditions, God responded by demonstrating three gracious signs—each a warning, not an act of aggression.
These three signs were:
- Staff to Snake: Snakes symbolized power in Egypt. Moses grabbing the snake by the tail showed God’s ability to subdue Egyptian authority.
- Leprosy Healed: Leprosy, prevalent and incurable, was a terrifying reality. Moses’ healed hand was a symbol of divine power over disease.
- Nile to Blood: The Nile, sacred to the Egyptians, was shown to be under God’s authority when Moses turned its waters to blood—foreshadowing the later plague.
Despite these gracious signs, Pharaoh’s heart remained hard. He turned to his sorcerers to perform counterfeit miracles, refusing to acknowledge the true power behind Moses’ signs (Exodus 7:11-12).
The Ten Plagues: Opportunities for Repentance
Only after Pharaoh’s repeated refusal to listen did God send the ten plagues upon Egypt (Exodus 7 onwards). Each plague was not merely an act of destruction but an invitation to repentance. God did not desire Egypt’s ruin; He desired their recognition of Him as the one true God (Exodus 7:5). Each plague targeted specific aspects of Egyptian life and religion, dismantling their trust in false gods while giving Pharaoh and the people opportunities to repent. This opportunity to know God was not limited to the Israelites; consider Rahab, a non-Israelite, who heard of God’s power and chose to believe (Joshua 2:9-11). Just as Rahab recognized the truth about God and found salvation, others in Egypt also had the chance to witness His power and turn towards Him.
Pharaoh, however, hardened his own heart six times before God allowed it to remain in that state (Exodus 4:21). This wasn’t God forcing Pharaoh into sin—it was God permitting Pharaoh to follow his chosen path. God’s intervention came only after Pharaoh demonstrated an obstinate rejection of God’s will. Just as Jesus taught in the Lord’s Prayer, God does not lead us into temptation but allows trials that test and shape our character (James 1:13).
Hardening as a Path to Realization
The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, as suggested by scholars, was a process that eventually led Pharaoh to recognize the reality of his actions. On numerous occasions, God is said to have hardened Pharaoh’s heart, but it is important to note that Pharaoh also hardened his own heart multiple times (Exodus 7:13-14, 7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7). The initial references to God hardening Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 4:21, 7:3) were predictions of what would happen, and it wasn’t until after Pharaoh had hardened his heart six times that God intervened to confirm his obstinance (Exodus 9:12). This judicial hardening by God came after Pharaoh’s repeated refusals, essentially solidifying his defiant choices.
Pharaoh’s hardening led him to confess his wrongdoing several times, acknowledging his sin (Exodus 9:27, 9:34, 10:16-17). However, his confessions were fleeting, and his heart remained unyielding. Interestingly, this process mirrored and reversed an Egyptian belief regarding the weighing of the heart in the afterlife. Egyptians believed that a “hardened heart” would lead to salvation, as it suppressed confession and judgment.1 In Pharaoh’s case, God’s hardening of his heart led not to silence but to confession and, ultimately, judgment. This powerful reversal demonstrated God’s sovereignty over not only Pharaoh but also the core beliefs of Egyptian culture.
God allowed Pharaoh to be raised up, despite his flaws, to serve a greater purpose—to reveal God’s glory and demonstrate that even the hardest of hearts could, in theory, come to repentance. As Paul later understood, God used Pharaoh’s obstinance as an instrument to display His power and bring glory to His name (Romans 9:17-18).
The Bible Knowledge commentary captures this well:
In God’s infinite wisdom He raised up this Pharaoh for that occasion so that in his rebellion against God he might be an instrument for God’s glory. Since Pharaoh’s heart would remain calloused, it was ultimately necessary to compel him by the last of the plagues, the death of the firstborn. Amazingly Moses told him this right at the beginning (Exo. 4:22-23). Egyptians prized their firstborn sons, treating them as special. Strikingly Israel is God’s son (cf. Hos. 11:1) and therefore sacred to Him.
Parallels with Other Biblical Figures
The story of Pharaoh is contrasted with other individuals in nearly identical circumstances who responded differently to God’s call, exhibiting fear and love towards God. Consider Jonah, Paul, Ruth, and Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar, in particular, experienced conviction from a dream, with Daniel serving as a parallel to Moses in guiding a ruler towards God’s truth.
Pharaoh (Exodus) | Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel) | Paul/Saul | |
Persecution and Opposition | Persecuted the Israelites, forcing harsh slavery and the killing of Hebrew infants. | Oppressed the nations, including Judah, destroying Jerusalem and taking the Jews into exile. | Persecuted the early Christians vehemently, participating in the arrest and execution of Christians (Acts 7:58; 8:1-3). |
Given a Warning and Sign | Received warnings and witnessed miraculous signs through Moses, and each of the ten plagues. | Received several warnings from God, including dreams interpreted by Daniel. | Encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, a transformative sign and warning (Acts 9:3-6). |
| Reactions | Repeatedly hardened his heart, refusing to let the Israelites go until the final plague. | Showed moments of acknowledgment of God’s power but ultimately was humbled by God, living like an animal until he acknowledged God’s sovereignty. | Repented, converted to Christianity, and became one of its most fervent advocates and missionaries (Acts 9:17-22). |
God’s Mercy Through Free Will and Divine Sovereignty
The story of the Exodus is one of immense justice, grace, and mercy. God’s ultimate goal was not destruction but repentance. Pharaoh, like all people, had the opportunity to hear, see, and believe—he chose otherwise, relying on his own gods and power. Through this story, God reoriented not just the Israelites but all who would hear it, teaching that salvation comes not through human strength or sorcery but through faithfulness to Him.
This story ultimately points to Jesus. Throughout Israel’s history, God continuously directed their hearts toward repentance, away from self-reliance and towards faith. During the Passover, God saved anyone who spread the blood of the sacrifice across their door frame—a clear picture of Jesus’ saving blood. It was an act of faith, not law, that saved them. This salvation was not just for the Jews—anyone, Egyptian or otherwise, could have been saved by this act of faith, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.
God’s Patience and Longsuffering
A few selected examples of God’s grace and love made known through His patience and longsuffering, even in the midst of rebellion, sin, and injustice.
Exodus 34:6: “And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.'”
Numbers 14:18: “‘The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.'”
Psalm 86:15: “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.”
Psalm 103:8: “The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.”
Nehemiah 9:17: “They refused to obey, and they were not mindful of Your wonders that You did among them. But they hardened their necks, and in their rebellion they appointed a leader to return to their bondage. But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them.”
Joel 2:13: “So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.”
Jonah 4:2: “So he prayed to the Lord, and said, ‘Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.'”
Micah 7:18: “Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.”
Matthew 18:21-22 – In this passage, Jesus teaches about forgiveness, telling Peter to forgive not just seven times, but seventy-seven times (or seventy times seven, depending on the translation), illustrating the boundless nature of God’s forgiveness.
Luke 15:11-32 – The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a vivid illustration of God’s mercy and readiness to forgive. It portrays a father (symbolizing God) who eagerly waits for his lost son to return and celebrates his return without hesitation, emphasizing God’s joy in the repentance of sinners.
Romans 2:4 – “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” This verse speaks to the idea that God’s patience is meant to lead people to repentance, not to be taken for granted.
2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” This verse explicitly states that God’s delay in bringing about the end times is due to His patience and desire for all people to have the opportunity to repent.
1 Timothy 1:15-16 – Paul speaks of himself as an example of Jesus Christ’s perfect patience, showing that even the foremost of sinners can receive mercy and eternal life as a testament to God’s immense patience and grace.
Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” This passage highlights God’s mercy and love that bring salvation to humanity.
1 John 4:8-10 – This passage explains that God is love and that His sending of His Son as the atoning sacrifice for sins is the ultimate demonstration of His love and mercy towards humanity.
The Cycles of The Plagues
| Plagues | Warnings | Uses of Staffs | Pharaoh’s Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Cycle | |||
| 1. Nile turned to blood | Warning – to Pharaoh at the Nile in the morning | Aaron’s staff (7:19) | Did not listen to the request that the Israelites be released (7:22-23) |
| 2. Frogs | Warning – to Pharaoh probably in his palace (Psa 8:2-4) | Aaron’s staff (Psa 8:5-6) | Agreed to let the people go if the frogs were taken away (Psa 8:8) |
| 3. Gnats | No warning | Aaron’s staff (8:16-17) | Refused to listen to his magicians’ suggestions (8:19) |
| Second Cycle | |||
| 4. Flies | Warning – to Pharaoh at the Nile in the morning | No staff used | Suggested the Israelites sacrifice in Egypt (8:25) |
| 5. Death of livestock | Warning – to Pharaoh probably in his palace | No staff used | Refused Moses’ request (Psa 9:7) |
| 6. Boils | No warning | No staff used | Refused Moses’ request (Psa 9:12) |
| Third Cycle | |||
| 7. Hail | Warning – to Pharaoh in his palace in the morning (Psa 9:13-19) | Moses’ staff | Promised to let the Israelites go if the rain and hail were stopped (9:28) |
| 8. Locusts | Warning – to Pharaoh probably in his palace (Psa 10:3-6) | Moses’ staff | Offered to release, but only the men go (Psa 10:11) |
| 9. Darkness | No warning | (Moses’ hand; perhaps the staff was used; (10:21-22) | Agreed that the people could go but not their animals (10:24) |
| Culminating Judgment | |||
| 10. Death of the firstborn | Warning – to Pharaoh probably in his palace (Psa 11:4 -8) | Urged the people to go! | |
The Meaning of The Plagues
| Plagues | References | Possible Egyptian Gods and Goddesses Attacked by the Plagues* |
| 1. Nile turned to blood | Exo 7:14-25 | Hapi (also called Apis, the bull god of the Nile; Isis, goddess of the Nile; Khnum, ram god, guardian of the Nile; and others |
| 2. Frogs | Exo 8:1-15 | Heqet, goddess of birth, with a frog head |
| 3. Gnats | Exo 8:16-19 | Set, god of the desert |
| 4. Flies | Exo 8:20-32 | Re, a sun god; or the god Uatchit, possibly represented by the fly |
| 5. Death of livestock | Exo 9:1-7 | Nut, the sky goddess; Osiris, god of crops and fertility |
| 6. Boils | Exo 9:8-12 | Sekhmet, goddess with power over disease; Sunu, the pestilence god; Isis, goddess of healing |
| 7. Hail | Exo 9:13-35 | Nut, the sky goddess; Osiris, god of crops and fertility; Set, god of storms |
| 8. Locusts | Exo 10:1-20 | Nut, the sky goddess; Osiris, god of crops and fertility |
| 9. Darkness | Exo 10:21-29 | Re, the sun god; Horus, a sun god; Nut, a sky god; Hathor, a sky goddess |
| 10. Death of the firstborn | Exo. 11:1-12:30 | Min, god of reproduction, Heqet, goddess who attended children at childbirth; Isis, goddess who protected children; Pharaoh’s firstborn son, a god |
Recommended Sources
Egyptian History
- “The Egyptian Book of the Dead” – This ancient funerary text provides insight into Egyptian beliefs regarding the afterlife, including the concept of weighing the heart, which relates directly to the “hardening of the heart” discussed in this article.
- “The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt” by Richard H. Wilkinson – This book explores the numerous deities of Egypt, providing a deeper understanding of the gods targeted by the ten plagues.
Biblical and Theological Resources
- “Gods of Egypt and the Plagues of Egypt” by John J. Davis – This article discusses each plague and its relationship to specific Egyptian gods.
- “The Exodus and Ancient Egyptian Religion” by James K. Hoffmeier – In-depth look at how the events of the Exodus directly countered Egyptian religious practices and the understanding of their gods.
- “The Theological Significance of the Plagues” (section) in “Exodus: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture” by Douglas K. Stuart – Provides a detailed look into how each plague was a direct challenge to the specific Egyptian deities, demonstrating the supremacy of Yahweh.
- The “Weighing of the Heart” is a crucial judgment ceremony depicted in The Book of the Dead in ancient Egyptian mythology. During this ritual, the deceased’s heart is weighed against the feather of Ma’at, the goddess of truth and justice, to determine their worthiness for the afterlife. The ceremony takes place in the court of Osiris, the god of the afterlife